Most Romantic Hotels in Tulum

Tulum's natural beauty and unplugged vibe make the Mexican beach town an ideal spot for romantic getaways. Small, intimate resorts are the norm here, not the exception, and nearly all of them emphasize the area's jungle-meets-beach setting and serene atmosphere. Here are our picks for the most special, most romantic retreats in Tulum.

With its beautiful and secluded beachfront location; steady service; and spacious, stylish, and eco-friendly rooms (all with private furnished terraces), this rustic, eight-room boutique is increasingly becoming a traveler favorite. Some area resorts are divorced from their surroundings, but Encantada's owners are dedicated to preserving and sharing Tulum's local culture through the authentic Yucatan cuisine at the restaurant, the regional craft drinks and local live music at the bars, and the regional artisanal goods used throughout the hotel.

Popular with vacationing couples, Mi Amor is a quiet, intimate luxury boutique property overlooking a lovely stretch of southern coastline. Most of the 17 chic rooms come with either balconies or private plunge pools, and all feature Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso coffeemakers, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and rainfall showers. Hotel features include a spa, beach-facing infinity, pool, and an open-air restaurant that serves French- and Italian-influenced cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

One of the first boutique hotels in the area, the Mezzanine Hotel sits within mangrove-laced grounds on the northern end of Tulum's beachfront Hotel Zone -- about a three-minute drive north of Tulum's Maya ruins. Designed as a hip and relaxing getaway, the upper-middle-range hotel draws primarily young couples. It has a popular margarita happy hour and its restaurant serves a celebrity chef-curated Thai menu. The nine rooms are air-conditioned (pretty uncommon for the area), outfitted in East Asian or bohemian-chic decor, and have mini-fridges or minibars, stocked beach bags, and yoga mats. Master Suites have large porches, luxe Bulgari products, lounge space, and deep (and we mean deep) tubs. No children under 16 are allowed.

The 20-room, adult-only Beach Tulum is a popular upper-middle-range option in the heart of the Hotel Zone, and for good reason. Its 20 rooms are right on the beach (you can step out onto the sand from the ground-floor units), the beachfront restaurant, Ziggy's, has great food (and a generous free breakfast with fresh juice and smoothies), and the small size allows for lots of personalized attention from the staff. Charming rooms combine rustic and modern elements, and all have ample outdoor space and ocean views. Property features are impressive for a boutique, and include a pretty, meandering pool, outdoor whirlpool, and daily yoga classes. Free Wi-Fi and parking add to the value, although year-round mosquitos can be an issue. This is one of the best options at this price point.

This ultra-chic adult-only hotel has trendy decor, lush grounds, and an excellent beachfront location in the middle of the Hotel Zone. The 20 upscale rooms are outfitted with plunge pools or hot tubs, indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks, and modern comforts like air-conditioning and 24-hour electricity (not a given in this area). In addition to the infinity pool and massive spa (with traditional temazcal, hydrotherapy, and a yoga studio), Be Tulum has a beach club with drink service, shaded daybeds, beanbag chairs, and loungers. The restaurant serves updated Mexican food, and in the adjacent raw bar and barbecue area, diners can select their fish (caught fresh each day) right before it gets tossed on the grill. And the two bars each have a full mezcal selection. Guests here are stylish -- and not on a budget. It’s one of the most well-equipped properties on the strip, and an ideal spot for anyone looking for an upscale beach vacation with great views and a high design.

The 10-room Azulik is a romantic, ruggedly beautiful place where travelers can unplug, disrobe, and disconnect. The adult-only, clothing-optional beachfront hotel merges traditional Maya architectural features, beautiful views, and close proximity to nature to create a rustic, off-the-grid, experience -- electricity and Wi-Fi are in short supply here. The 10 simple villas have open-air bathrooms with two-person mosaic tile tubs and terraces providing ocean and jungle backdrops. The resort has a beachfront bar and a spa, where guests can take part in Maya healing rituals, such as Temazcal, a traditional detoxifying steam bath. Daily on-site yoga classes are offered, and the resort provides lounge chairs and hammocks on the beach, which guests can use for free.

The vibe here is New-England-seaside-meets-Mexican-flair. Right on the rocky Tulum coastline, this rustic and chill spot has 19 rooms, all with personal patio space, 24-hour electricity and air-conditioning, organic toiletries, and great ocean views. There are also an excellent indoor/outdoor restaurant, a fantastic bar with tasty cocktails and healthy smoothies, and a small pool.

The name of this 18-room beachfront hotel translates to "fishermen villa," and the area where it is located belongs to the cooperative society of fishermen of Tulum. The atmosphere is the epitome of eco-chic: The sandy grounds are filled with thatched-roof wood huts, lush tropical plants, and hanging hammocks inviting guests to relax and unwind. At night, you can take in great views of the stars and hear the sound of crickets and the palm trees moving in the breeze. The rustic-chic bungalows have private bathrooms and outdoor spaces with hammocks; there are no TVs, but Wi-Fi is free and air-conditioning is available at night. The all-day, open-air restaurant is right on the beach, and has a specials menu that changes daily, focusing on fresh ingredients -- especially fish. The open-air space on the beach is casual and laid-back, with a high thatched roof and ceiling fans overhead. The thatched-roof beach bar has wooden swings in place of bar stools.

This small, upper-middle-range resort has a private getaway vibe. The 16 air-conditioned rooms are spacious and spotless, with hip, stylish decor, as well as bathrobes, yoga mats, beach bags, and furnished terraces (no TVs). The open, airy bathrooms are particularly attractive with wood beams, vessel sinks, jugs with drinking water, and rainfall showers. A quiet on-site beach with powdery white sand has loungers and a swing set. Guests can also make use of the small pool, yoga classes, and bike rentals. Or they can head to the off-site restaurant, bar, and beach club where a free breakfast is served.

Ahau Tulum, opened in 2012, blends a tropical beach experience with an eco-lodge atmosphere, and there is a heavy focus on minimizing its ecological impact on the surrounding environment. The upper-middle-range hotel blends handcrafted artwork and bohemian decor with rustic architecture made from 100 percent locally sourced materials. Almost all of the 26 rooms have beachfront access and ocean views, but note that the entry-level Bali Huts really are little more than huts with beds (and no AC). The highlight here is the beautiful white-sand beach, equipped with quality cushioned loungers with bamboo coverings for shade. There are two restaurants at the hotel: the eponymous Ahau Restaurant which also doubles as the main hangout lounge and reception area, with dreamcatchers hanging from the timbers; and the Raw Love organic and raw restaurant in the heart of the property with driftwood furniture.

Located on the lower half of Tulum’s beach strip, the rustic, 33-room Nueva Vida de Ramiro is within easy walking and biking distance of restaurants, shops, and bars. It’s also has one of the larger stretches of white-sand beaches in the area. Aside from the beach, Nueva Vida Ramiro’s natural, tropical grounds are a standout feature. The hotel's restaurant across the road, Casa Banana, serves fresh Argentine dishes and craft cocktails. A free continental breakfast is served here (in low season, guests can opt to have breakfast in their rooms).

This 94-room all-inclusive is a stylish, adult-only oceanfront property located where the road from Tulum town meets the road to the beach. There's a dual-level infinity pool area with swim-up bar and hot tub section, and the large beach area includes both soft sands and rugged, rocky coastline (swimming is not recommended). The food and yoga classes get mixed reviews, and many public spaces around the resort feel neglected. In-room air-conditioning, 24-hour electricity, a fitness center, personal jetted tubs, and TVs are nice perks for the area.

The 22-room Hip Hotel suits many tastes. It is both a romantic, unplugged getaway and a family-friendly lodging option. Guests will not find live entertainment, pools, or on-site recreational activities here. Instead, they can look forward to dinners delivered on the beach, free turndown service that includes aromatherapy and chocolates, and a quiet, low-key environment. There are 22 total rooms, with either sea or garden views. Both room types include a basic decor, private bathrooms (with reliable hot water), and private furnished porches with hammocks.